Multiple Oregon Sheriffs have announced that they will not enforce the state’s new law that places a strict limit on gun magazine capacity, arguing that the legislation violates the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment.
Oregon voters in the November 8th midterm elections approved the “Reduction of Gun Violence Act” also known as “Measure 114.” The measure outlaws gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, among other series of restrictions for legal firearm owners. Similar legislations have already been enforced in Democrat-controlled states like New York, and California.
A group of county sheriffs has now publicly announced that they will not enforce the unconstitutional law and other parts of the legislation.
“The biggest thing is this does absolutely nothing to address the problem,” Sheriff Cody Bowen of Union County told Fox News on Tuesday. “The problem that we have is not… magazine capacity. It’s not background checks. It’s a problem with mental health awareness. It’s a problem with behavior health illness.”
Bowen says that “society as a whole is a bigger problem rather than saying that, you know, the guns are killing people.”
“There’s just no way possible for us to enforce that and nor would I simply because it’s an infringement on our Second Amendment, you know, our right to keep and bear arms,” he said, warning that the legislation will not help with reducing or preventing shootings in the state.
Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe has also publicly expressed similar views and assured that he will not enforce the magazine limit term.
“I don’t think this is superseding anything. I don’t believe that I am superseding state law by not enforcing it. Anybody in law enforcement, including the state police, including the governor, has to pick and choose what laws they are going to be able to enforce,” he told local media.
Similarly, Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan expressed his views in a Facebook post on November 9th, writing that she wants to “send a clear message to Linn County residents that the Linn County Sheriff’s Office is NOT going to be enforcing magazine capacity limits.”
“This measure is poorly written and there is still a lot that needs to be sorted out regarding the permitting process, who has to do the training and what exactly does the training have to cover,” Duncan said, suggesting that the measure should face an “immediate lawsuit.”
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